New grants to back Victorian live music venues and festivals

The Victorian Government has announced $10 million in new grants for musicians, music venues and festivals, intending to support local jobs for musicians and helping venues and festivals.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today launched the Live Music Festivals and 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund programs - which will give the industry a much-needed boost during this period of change.

Seen as a key element of communities across the state, the fund aims to help Victoria’s music venues and festivals deliver a steady pipeline of gigs at live music venues, to support more local music festivals expand and grow and to ensure more artists have paid opportunities.

Set to soon open for applications, the Live Music Festivals Fund and 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund will be delivered in partnership with the state’s music industry peak body Music Victoria.

The Live Music Festivals Fund will provide grants of up to $50,000 to established Victorian festival organisers to help them stage new or existing events.

The Victorian Gig Fund is a component of the Victorian Government’s commitment to back 10,000 live music gigs across the state over the next four years. Victorian live music venues can apply for up to $10,000 across 2024-25 to go towards Victorian artists’ fees for gigs at their venues.

The Victorian Gig Fund will create more paid opportunities for local artists, from those just starting out to established acts, making it easier for venues across the state to host great local gigs while giving Victorian music lovers the chance to see their favourite acts close to where they live.

Welcoming the funding, Music Victoria Chief Executive, Simone Schinkel stated “with pressure continuing to mount on all sides, these initiatives are so desperately needed. Music Victoria is delighted to be the delivery partner, ensuring that even more dollars can make it directly into the industry and quickly, for the benefit of all Victorians.”

Applications for the Live Music Festivals Fund and The Victorian Gig Fund open on Monday 22nd April at 10am and close on Friday 17th May at 2pm.

To find out more or apply visit musicvictoria.com.au. 

Image. Credit Music Victoria/ Cam Matheson.